Tag: Re Verse

The Roman Road

Re:Verse reading–Romans 5:1-11 (day four)

It’s called the Roman Road to salvation…good verses to memorize.  Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9-10, and Romans 10:13.  Here in Paul’s letter to the Romans is the road map to salvation for all who believe.  Do you understand the pathway?  Can you explain it to someone else?  In our Re:Verse passage this week is Romans 5:8…why not begin by memorizing this verse.  “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  Reconciliation is not something to keep to ourselves, it is our responsibility and privilege to share it with others.  Preparing, in advance, to share with someone will strengthen our courage and clarify our thoughts.  If memorizing scripture is difficult for you, mark these verses in your Bible and make a note in the margins for the next verse.  A note inside the cover can send you to the first verse on the road.  Prepare however you need to in order to share your faith with others.

Me, Myself, and I

Re: Verse reading–Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 1 Samuel 20:1-17, 27-42 (day five)  But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.

Greetings from St. Louis.  Having spent the better part of the last 2 days on a bus, I can tell you the interaction and conversations are abundant and interesting.  One of my favorite conversation games is “famous movie lines”. From drama to horror to comedy, each of the adults gets a turn to “entertain” the group.  Inevitably, Mel Brooks movies make their way into the conversation.  In his parody of the Star Wars movies, Brooks creates an alien being named MOG. MOG introduces himself in a classic movie quote, “I’m a MOG: half man, half dog.  I’m my own best friend”. (I may have used that one on this trip)

I know believers who have that same mindset.  They live in loneliness, isolation, and obscurity.  Often, it comes from an unwillingness to engage and pursue friendship and community.  Friendship is hard work- patience, forgiveness, honesty, flexibility, and energy are all required.  But the Bible clearly encourages these relationships.  The Christian life is not an “individual sport”.  It is most effective in the context of deep and meaningful friendships.

Saved for Worship

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 12:1-14, 24-27, 13:8-9 (day six)

Does your heart sing? Years ago as a college student in Hattiesburg, MS I went to worship at FBC Hattiesburg with one of my closest friends. During the sermon the pastor was speaking on the extravagant love of God in our justification through Jesus, and being unable to contain himself my friend erupted with a loud fist pumping holler (like one you would hear at a football game). Needless to say he frightened many people, and probably left many scratching their heads. He was overcome with inexplicable joy! Isn’t this how it should be for us? Full of joy and erupting in song!

This week in Re:Verse we encountered the spontaneous praise of Moses and the Hebrew people following their salvation out from the Egyptians (Exodus 15). This is both beautiful to behold and compelling. Should not our praise erupt out of our joy of God’s salvation?! Yes, and again I say yes!

In fact the root of our joy rests in the saving work of God. In that work we see God for who he is as loving redeemer and mighty warrior. When we see God, we can’t help but worship. King David’s sin (and ours) was born out of dysfunctional worship. In Psalm 51:8 he wrote, “return to me the joy of my salvation.” Let’s pray like David that we never lose sight of our God who is mighty to save, so that our praise will always be loud and true!

Higher Perspective

Re: Verse reading–2 Timothy 1:6-14; 2:1-15 (day four)
I am writing this today at 6500 ft. altitude. It gives you a very good perspective of the landscape. In our Re:Verse passage this week, Paul is sharing a higher perspective of life to Timothy. The believer views life differently than others. We have a spirit of power and love and discipline. There is also suffering to endure. We are involved in the affairs of God instead of the affairs world. Diligence is a valued quality. Paul admonishes Timothy to not only live life in the reality of God’s Word, but to teach others to do the same. A life well invested in the Word of God is a life well lived.

Opportunities

Re: Verse reading–Isaiah 6:1-8; Revelation 4:1-11 (Day Five)
What is it about God that compels or “draws” you into worship?  As we read the Re: Verse  passages this week we see several possibilities:  His Holiness, His Purity, His Sovereignty, His Beauty, His Kindness, His Graciousness, His Generosity, His Strength.  William Temple says worship is to “quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to open the heart to the love of God, to devote the will to the purpose of God.”  Opportunities are available because the scripture says that God “seeks” worshipers (John 4).  Personal Worship, Corporate Worship, and Small Group Worship all present moments and experiences to see and hear from the Lord.  Worship begins with a holy anticipation and ends in holy obedience (becoming more like Christ)- the point and goal of each spiritual discipline we’ve studied this summer.

 

Freedom

Re: Verse reading- Psalm 24:1-6; Ephesians 5:1-16 (day five)  Ephesians 5:1 “Therefore be imitators of God… walk in love, just as Christ ”

Spiritual Disciplines- What’s the point?  What’s the goal?  What’s the “payoff'”?  Answer…   FREEDOM

Skilled musicians, world-class athletes, expert carpenters, and well-prepared students all demonstrate the “freedom thru discipline” principle.  They have a freedom to entertain, exhibit, and excel that others do not.

What about the Freedoms in the Disciplined Christian Life?  Freedom to understand and apply Biblical Principles- by memorizing and studying Scripture.  Freedom from spiritual insensitivity- by fasting.  Freedom from self-centeredness- by service and worship.  Freedom from guilt, anger, and consequences- by practicing purity.

The Freedom found in a spiritually disciplined life is:  The capacity to recognize and accomplish what God calls us to do, and the opportunity to imitate and display the character qualities of Christ and to glorify God through our own personalities.

Why Does Evil Prosper?

Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 11:18-23; 12:1-6; 17:14-18; 20:7-18 (day four)  In 12:1, Jeremiah asks the question that has long been on the lips of man…”Why has the way of the wicked prospered?  Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease?”  Habakkuk, a contemporary of Jeremiah asked the same question, “Why does God allow evil to go unpunished in Judah?”  Have you asked it before?…”Why does God allow evil to go unpunished in America?”  When we look at the situation with our finite human eyes, the injustice seems overwhelming.  Through eyes of faith though, we know that God will hold the unjust and evil accountable.  In Jeremiah’s day, God would eventually punish Babylon…evil will be judged, but it will be in God’s timing.  Habakkuk voiced the words that became the basis for Paul’s theological position in Romans…”The just shall live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4)  We stand watch on the wall to see what God is doing!